Houston Astros may start playing shell games with critical players
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
01 July 2022
With Jake Odorizzi having completed two rehab starts in the minors, it appears he could join the Astros rotation as soon as July 4th, if the Astros decide to go that route. With Odorizzi's return in mind, will the Astros move to a 6-man rotation considering they only have one off-day before the All-Star break, and 19 consecutive games after the break?
Or, will Cristian Javier once again be moved to the bullpen to make room for Odorizzi and keep Verlander pitching every fifth day?
Plus, we examine how the timing of Lance McCullers' hopeful return may come too late for the Astros to trade away some key starting pitching depth before the trade deadline.
We discuss this and much more in the video above! Check it out!
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Astros right-hander Cristian Javier misses start against Nationals because of neck discomfort
Apr 22, 2024, 12:00 pm
Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier was scratched from Sunday’s start at the Washington Nationals because of neck discomfort.
He will be placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 14.
Right-hander Hunter Brown (0-3, 10.54 ERA) will make his fifth start of the season in the series finale at Washington. Brown suffered a 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on April 16 despite allowing only two runs in six innings.
“Neck discomfort, started a few days ago,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He tried to work through it but just couldn’t happen. This kind of just came out of nowhere. So, we are going to see what happens here.”
The Astros called up right-hander Spencer Arrighetti from the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Arrighetti struggled in his first two starts this season, going 0-2 with an 11.57 ERA.
Espada said JP France and Justin Verlander will start in Chicago for the next series against the Cubs, but the order was not announced. Arrighetti could also get one of those spots, as could veteran left-hander Framber Valdez (left elbow inflammation), who has been throwing during the road trip.
“He just played catch right now,” Espada said of Valdez on Sunday. “We will see how he feels. Once we see how he feels we will start talking about the possibilities if he can pitch in Chicago or not.”
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